Preparation for Preaching

The sounds of Dao discussion gradually faded, but the lingering Dao resonance within Wuzhuang Temple refused to dissipate, like smoke and mist, clinging to every plant and every blue stone in the courtyard.

Zhenyuanzi, Hongyun, and Lord Wanshouyuan sat quietly in place, eyes slightly closed, faces calm as still water, each immersed in the insights gained from the clash of great Dao moments ago.

This discussion, though it involved no contest of divine powers, was a collision of Dao hearts and wisdom.

Zhenyuanzi's Way of the Great Earth was heavy and encompassing, Hongyun's Path of Freedom was agile and transcendent, and Lord Wanshouyuan's Way of Wood was brimming with vitality. The three mutually confirmed and inspired one another.

Many subtle details previously overlooked in cultivation were now suddenly enlightened;

Some long-troubling obstacles on the Dao path had also found breakthroughs through the exchange.

Though their realms had not directly advanced, their Dao foundations grew firmer, their understanding of their own paths deepened, and the road ahead became clearer.

The two Daoist children, Qingfeng and Mingyue, standing by in attendance, now had radiant faces, their whole body aura harmonious and clear.

They had newly entered the Primordial Unity Golden Immortal realm and needed to stabilize their foundations.

Listening to three Great Luo Golden Immortals discuss the Dao, though they could not fully grasp the profound mysteries, the every-word-a-pearl true words of the great Dao and the naturally emitted residual waves of Dao resonance were the best nourishment for them.

The originally slightly restless aura from their breakthrough was smoothed out, their Primordial Unity Golden Immortal dharma power circulated more freely, and their realm was completely stabilized.

The two youngsters exchanged glances, their eyes full of joy, and their reverence for the three masters grew even stronger.

When everyone had come back to their senses from enlightenment, Zhenyuanzi slowly opened his eyes.

The divine light within his pupils was restrained, making them appear even deeper and unfathomable.

His gaze swept over the courtyard and finally fell beyond the Wanshou Mountain, which was enveloped by the Innate Great Earth Formation, onto the vast and ignorant Western Continent of the Primordial.

As his thoughts stirred, he already understood the current situation.

In the present Primordial, the heavens had been opened not long ago, all things were newly born, and the path of cultivation was still in chaos.

Apart from those with deep roots who were born with inherited memories—the Xiantian God-Demons—and the Dragon, Phoenix, and Kirin Three Races, which had risen and established themselves through bloodline inheritance, along with their vassals, Or the remaining Chaos Demon God remnants with surviving memories, the vast majority of beings in the Primordial were in a state of ignorance.

These beings might rely on instinct to inhale and exhale spiritual energy and possess considerable strength, but they lacked a clear understanding of cultivation realms, had no systematic cultivation methods, did not comprehend divine power transformations, and were unaware of Karma and Karmic Force.

Their cultivation paths relied entirely on groping in the dark, like a blind man walking with a candle at night—not only extremely difficult but also prone to straying into wrong paths, or even perishing from loss of control over their power.

Zhenyuanzi knew this situation would persist until the distant future, when Dao Ancestor Hongjun would begin lecturing on the great Dao at Zixiao Palace, only then illuminating the path for all beings.

But that was a matter for later generations; for now, this was the best opportunity.

Zhenyuanzi stood up and walked with steady steps to the front of Wuzhuang Temple.

With a thought stirred, the vast, ocean-like Peak Great Luo Golden Immortal dharma power within him surged forth, merging with the power of Wanshou Mountain's earth veins, causing the Innate Great Earth Formation to undergo subtle changes. He did not fully activate the formation but cleverly opened a "sound transmission" channel.

The next moment, he spoke aloud, his voice not transmitted through the air.

Instead, it carried supreme dharma power and the principles of the great earth, transforming into a torrent of majestic will, spreading like ripples, rumbling like the earth's low roar, transcending spatial limits, and clearly resounding in the depths of the minds of all intelligent beings in the entire Western Continent of the Primordial whose cultivation was lower than his:

"I am Zhenyuanzi of Wuzhuang Temple on Wanshou Mountain. Today, I shall lecture on the great Dao and expound the ultimate truths of cultivation. Those who are destined may come to listen to the Dao!"

The voice was grand and peaceful, carrying a convincing weight and majesty, like the call of the Mother Earth.

For a time, across the Western Continent of the Primordial, whether it was ferocious beasts locked in battle, mountain spirits and wild monsters in secluded cultivation, or spirits of plants and trees that had just gained intelligence—all who had opened their spiritual wisdom felt it in their hearts. They stopped their actions without exception, looked towards Wanshou Mountain, and an inexplicable longing arose within them.

This action of Zhenyuanzi naturally had deep meaning. First, to educate beings and open their spiritual wisdom was an act conforming to the Heavenly Dao, and merit would naturally descend;

At the same time, gathering beings through Dao lectures would also converge fortune upon the lineage of Wanshou Mountain, greatly benefiting the Dao path.

Second, it was also a setup for the future.

Beings born at the beginning of heaven's opening, regardless of their roots, generally had potential and aptitude far surpassing those of later generations.

If one could select the best among them and cultivate them, they would surely become a force not to be underestimated.

He was determined to achieve something, but relying solely on himself, Hongyun, and his clone—just a few people—was ultimately too weak. He needed to establish his own force.

This lecture on the Dao was the first step in screening and attracting talent.

With the transmission sent, the karmic seeds were planted.

Zhenyuanzi clearly sensed that countless thoughts, some strong, some weak, some clear, some vague, were rising from every corner of the Western Continent, carrying curiosity, longing, hesitation, and reverence, turning towards Wanshou Mountain.

Moreover, those closer and quicker to act had already begun moving in this direction.

He turned to Hongyun and Lord Wanshouyuan and said, "The lecture is imminent; we need to make some preparations."

Hongyun clapped his hands and laughed, "This is a good deed. This Poor Daoist will naturally give full support." He was also looking forward to seeing the destined beings arriving from various parties.

Lord Wanshouyuan slightly nodded: "I will arrange the affairs in the temple properly."

Qingfeng and Mingyue were already excited beyond measure. When had these two Daoist children ever seen such a scene?

Just thinking about countless beings from outside coming to Wanshou Mountain made them unable to stop whispering to each other, their small faces full of anticipation and curiosity.

Upon hearing the instructions, they immediately puffed out their chests and answered crisply, "Master, rest assured! We will work hard!"

Zhenyuanzi slightly nodded, acknowledging their support.

He spoke no further, sinking his thoughts into his Sea of Consciousness to establish a deeper connection with the Book of the Earth, the "Classic of Mountains and Seas."

With a light wave of his sleeves, a vast and majestic Earth-Yellow Divine Light surged from within his body, warm and heavy, resonating with the core of Wanshou Mountain's earth veins. The entire divine mountain emitted a deep, muffled hum.

The next moment, the scene at the mountain gate outside Wuzhuang Temple began to undergo astonishing changes.

The originally jagged, undulating mountain terrain was smoothed out by an invisible, immense force, as if pressed flat by a giant hand.

Rocks sank into the earth, ravines were filled with Wutu Essence Qi, and the ground became level and polished, glowing with a faint, jade-like luster, with natural Dao patterns faintly flowing across its surface.

Clouds and mists surged and gathered around, yet lingered intelligently at the periphery of the area, forming an ethereal barrier that preserved an open view while adding to the mystery of this immortal sacred ground.

As the Book of the Earth mobilized the veins of the land, vast Innate Spiritual Qi surged from the Ancestral Veins of Longevity Mountain and the surrounding Earth Veins, forming a faint Spirit Mist above the platform. With each breath, it caused people's Dharma power to subtly increase.

At the edges of the platform, the earth naturally rose into several stone tables and stools.

These stone seats appeared simple and unadorned, yet they subtly aligned with the Heaven and Earth Ultimate Truth. Their surfaces were smooth as a mirror, emitting a cooling sensation that calmed the heart, clearly seats prepared for accomplished cultivators.

Zhenyuanzi intended to use his Supreme Dharma Power, combined with the Book of the Earth's ability to mobilize the Earth Veins, to open up a preaching square outside Wuzhuang Temple, capable of accommodating tens of thousands of living beings.

He sought to both display the dignified grandeur of a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal's Dao field and ensure that all who came could enjoy a comfortable environment for enlightenment.

As the site for the preaching initially took shape, a solemn and majestic aura, one that beckoned and inspired longing, spread outward from Longevity Mountain as its center.

In the Western Primordial, a hidden undercurrent stirred because of Zhenyuanzi's single word. A Dharma assembly that would affect the fate of countless living beings was about to commence here.

Countless gazes and countless hopes were crossing thousands of mountains and rivers, converging upon this place.